Lin Miao handed the device to Mann,
"You have fifteen seconds after pressing the switch on top to throw this thing like a grenade. Remember, throw it far."
Lin Miao specifically emphasized the need to throw it far because, according to the manual, the explosion range of one shot is over ten meters. With three shots together, even if marginal utility doesn’t reach 30 meters, it would still be considerable.
Mann’s palms were already heating up just from catching this canister. The shell alone was around 50 degrees. This thing was definitely not a grenade.
A literal hot potato.
He took a deep breath and looked at Dolio. The two exchanged a glance and nodded. Mann immediately pressed the canister switch, and the light on the canister instantly changed from blue to glaring scarlet.
His massive figure charged out of cover like a battle tank, his right foot stamped on the ground, arching his body like a bow. The plasma cartridge, the size of a thermos, appeared miniature in his left hand, especially with the gorilla-like arm hydraulic system operating at full power, emitting a piercing creak.
The cartridge shot out like a cannonball, causing a piercing explosion in the air as soon as it left his hand, leaving a visible shock wave. The tunnel reverberated with the deathly wail.
Inside the tank cockpit, the observer Night Wanderer heard the sound and hurriedly ordered the others to turn around the turret and prepare to fire, because something was charging.
Though the engine was gone, the battery could still function.
Mayer also heard it, yet saw neither man nor vehicle, only seeing a projectile almost in a straight line crash into a container with immense force, even breaking through its iron skin and landing inside with a thud.
No one saw clearly what it was.
"What is that? A grenade launcher or armor-piercing shell?"
Nearby Night Wanderer quickly replied
"Didn’t see clearly, but there seemed to be some sound."
Everyone listened carefully and discovered it sounded like ticking, and the sound was becoming more and more rushed, faster and faster.
"Be careful, don’t go close. It seems like explosives. Spread out quickly."
Yet not many cared, since the hole suggested it was only slightly bigger than a hand grenade, at most a rocket with a boosted size. As long as they stayed far, it posed little threat.
They were still focused on the tunnel, uncertain how many of such bombs the opposition had.
However, they didn’t wait for a second thunderbolt; when the cartridge’s rapid alarm sound merged into one, the magnetic confinement device failed, releasing the uncontrolled plasma at tens of thousands of degrees, instantly melting the graphene shell.
The container aperture sparkled with dazzling light and heat, and inside the mountain’s body rose a sun.
Under the horrified gaze of Night Wanderer, the container evaporated instantly, and the nearby Night Wanderer, who they had great hopes for and regarded as a massive weapon, was swallowed by the brilliant light and heat. Not even having the chance to scream in fear...
The plasma explosion lacked the dramatic blast wave and sound of chemical explosives; yet the heat released far exceeded the latter, causing the surrounding ammunition to vanish without a chance for sympathetic detonation.
On the other side, the anticipated big bang and shocking blast wave did not occur. After a flash at the tunnel’s end, only a somewhat strong hot wind blew through.
The wind felt slightly warm on the skin, estimated at fifty to sixty degrees, akin to a scalding shower, with a smell in the wind as if something had scorched.
However, the air temperature rose quickly and dropped fast, calming down shortly thereafter.
Everyone looked at Lin Miao, their eyes seemingly asking
They thought it would have far greater power, but the explosion sound wasn’t as big as imagined, and the narrow space explosion expected strong winds were minor, just warmer.
Lin Miao awkwardly stroked his chin, wondering if this Intermediate Card was just at this level, or if he should throw another to test?
But after careful consideration, Lin Miao looked at the player closest to him.
"You, go scout ahead, see what’s going on."
The named Jianxue Wuming nodded repeatedly, feeling honored to be recognized by the BOSS!
The most crucial part is, this was a personal mission. Even without rewards, the favorability must soar.
Maybe he even had a chance to touch the BOSS’s orange gear!
Jianxue handed his equipment to Big Ears Tutu; an explosion would be a great loss.
Then he stood up, chest out, eyes bright, facing mortality with resolve, even his steps were precise.
"Brothers, I’m going. If I sacrifice, remember to send a few reactionaries to accompany me!"
For this lucky dog, other players gave him no face.
"Quit your act! If you’re going to die, hurry up. If you don’t go, I will."
"Go, go, go, right away."
Jianxue, who ran out from cover, was all smiles; despite Mann and the others seeing it as a suicide run, if the bomb didn’t threaten Night Wanderer too severely, the fate was surely being riddled with bullets.
How could he still laugh?
And these people’s intention to compete for the task?
In an instant, a solemn awe rose.
When had they seen company dogs with this sacrificial awareness?
Groups and individuals prioritizing self-interest wouldn’t comprehend what sacrifice for the collective meant.
They might even, unable to do it themselves, deliberately distort, belittle, and stigmatize such sacrifice to compensate for the moral deficiency evoked by this act.